These things just past by and we don’t pay attention to them until something goes wrong and we get bad publicity in the world. So too will it be when someone with an Antiguan Passport is caught some where we cannot even imagine. The sniper in the US was just a little taste of how one can damage our country’s name. Not that we do not have lots of Antiguans who turned criminal in the US and are in jail over there. But this could be quite different. These individuals are not just normal small guys. They are well at cash. And there motives are many. But it’s not about wanting to come to live here. If so we already have things in place to facilitate that. Jumby Bay, Mill Reef, Sugar Ridge, Browns Bay, and many other private developments. So in fact it seems as if the government is competing with the private sector on attracting investors to buy their second home here in Antigua. Instead they should have worked with these private developers and see how they can make things easier for them. That way we will still collect our Alien Landholding License fees and other taxes. And we could instead have a Residency By Investment Program.

Does the average Antiguan has an understanding of what citizenship really means? We say so proudly I am a born Antiguan. Well soon other will proudly say I am a bought Antiguan. And guess what they will probably have more right then you. Cause they will have people in high places looking out for them. Always have them feeling indebted to them. That is the power of money. Just think of it. What is the main reason for anyone Riche High Net worth individual to want an Antiguan citizenship? Something you probably don’t even appreciate. But it’s not for love of country. But to move around more easily in the rest of the world. It’s actually for the same reason why we have ships registered under our flag. Ships that perhaps never even birth here. Wasn’t there a ship with the Antigua flag caught in an arms scandal somewhere in Syria or Lebanon area, which the Israeli military caught red handed smuggling arms.

I hear you loud and clear and you are right. I too use my real name...no need for me to hide behind pseudonyms.

Morris, no 'agruement' in that here about JF II, as I am one that will surely not "blow him off as a mad rambler." He is indeed a blogger to 'pay attention' too as he tries to 'awake' the m** with his knowledge and research capabilities. Hey, we all here, regardless, of your differing views, to learn from each other, add other input to economic, political and social issues affecting the country. On that note, do you really think our leaders would pay attention to "dangers' that may come with CIP? They will put a 'dollar-sign' over the interests of the people and do what it takes to make sure friends, family and party-hacks live comfortably. One thing we must and can't allow is to continue have our leaders take total advantage of us. Yet, I believe our 'kind-heearted' and 'lay-back' spirit have caused many of our leaders to take us to the 'cleaners.' The sad part is 'victimization' is still "omnipresent' in these lands. I must say i take my 'hat-off' to Skyewill and other who uses their 'real names.' As for me, the time is not ripe, as 'hunting season' is all year around in our 'politricks' in this country.

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! This mere voice has no military training. Got my early direction from Grandparents & Parents particularly a teacher Uncle. Honed some Political Ideas during formative years while visiting & engaging with Guadeloupean friends. Most of my life has been engaged with the Academy which has completed the political, economic, social and technological cultural milieu to understand that Quote:

one has to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove in aligning national pride with geostrategic navigation to accomplish one's goals - Newton

From the 70's the Middle East has as you have stated, (Permit me to repeat your comment)Quote:

Has anyone been paying attention that the programs ... seem to attract mostly wealthy individuals from the Gulf Region? Many of the very same wealthy people who funded the terrorists & their causes. What do we think will happen should we sell citizenship to these individuals & they are driven from their homelands because of political & other reasons?

SK&N has been at this since Independence, has the Highest Debt to GDP Ratio and LIves beggarly with the IMF.
Go Well! Much Respect!

JFII has been preaching to the m** to pay attention to regional and global dynamics, and I am sure many just blow him off as a mad rambler. But pay attention, because there is a whole lot of truth to what he has been saying.

Here is another thing for you to consider: Have you noticed the brutality (social, religious, etc.) they inflict on the citizens of those vulnerable economies they've invaded? Just look at northern Africa. Money changes a lot of things, so our leaders better think about the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

Well said, Morris! Just read your last post, and, can't believe we are 'thinking' a like.
Quote:

Has anyone been paying attention that the programs (especially the ones in the link I provided) seem to attract mostly wealthy individuals from the Gulf Region? Many of the very same wealthy people who funded the terrorists and their causes. What do we think will happen should we sell citizenship to these individuals and they are driven from their homelands because of political and other reasons? Have we forgotten that war was waged o these individuals and that they would be hunted wherever should seek shelter? This is all we need to invite conflict to our shores. Who is in charge, and who will flip the light switch? FYI, these are just some of the things we talk about and prepare for in military circles.

Morris, I believe this is 'critical' not only to our national security but to the region and the US. It is time we look at this CIP with a fine tooth comb, as 'monies' we are getting sounds good for now but the 'backlash' may be everlasting on our small state. Bless again.

Quote:

Antigua & Barbuda is launching its own citizenship program to drum up money. And leaders of both main parties on the poor island of Grenada have hinted they may revive a program that was suspended after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, due to fears that local passports could be mistakenly sold to terrorists

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=171807741
I am of the view A&B will not be the same but who am I to say when we leaders and people in this country that believe we 'backwards' in thinking, so you don't have a say! Morris, again, thanks for the link! Bless.

Morris, the world we live in is full of 'turmoil.' Yet, if persons from the ME and NA seeking "economic refuge" in other lands, without the proper "background-che cks" who to say that these persons with 'evil hands' will not continue the 'revolution' that left off in their homeland in our lands? Why isn't the world leaders doing more to stop the 'ongoing-econom ic-refugees' from relocating from their homeland? So when they leave, what would become of their own country? Will they be a "deserted" country? These issues and questions that must be addressed in these citizenship program! Sometimes, we can't put a dollar on issues that may change our lives forever!

They can put them into all those empty housing projects as a start.
Here is something to think about: as citizens, will these individuals be required to pay taxes and contribute to SS, MBS etc. like regular citizens?

Morris, thanking for the article! It was very interesting article. What's more interesting is that you don't need to "step a foot" on Dominica to get a brand new passport. And, as one man said "Now, I am a Dominican," said Mezawi, who like many Palestinians had not been recognized as a citizen of any country." I do understand that those wealthy folks in the 'turmoil' parts of the world will need to seek to find a second passport or citizenship. My problem is our 'willingness' in A&B to have a 'transparent and accountability' citizenship program that works without ending up in the 'wrong hands' and then face 'scrutiny.'
Quote:

But Bernard Wiltshire, a former Dominica attorney general, said there were already around 3,000 economic citizens when he left government about a decade ago. The country now has roughly 73,000 inhabitants in all.

Morris, if this CIP 'gets-out-of-ha nd' where are we going to handle an large influx of new citizens? And, how will we deal with "infrastructure " of roads, transportation, among others?

Both blue and red want ...and don't want this.
The people want Referendum
Let the people win

You have highlighted something very interesting that many have either missed or neglected and that is that the remnants of Al Qaeda and the Taliban are seeking refuge in lax jurisdictions. Has anyone been paying attention that the programs (especially the ones in the link I provided) seem to attract mostly wealthy individuals from the Gulf Region? Many of the very same wealthy people who funded the terrorists and their causes. What do we think will happen should we sell citizenship to these individuals and they are driven from their homelands because of political and other reasons? Have we forgotten that war was waged o these individuals and that they would be hunted wherever should seek shelter? This is all we need to invite conflict to our shores. Who is in charge, and who will flip the light switch? FYI, these are just some of the things we talk about and prepare for in military circles.

R U dung da inah Antigua ah worry bout CIP bill and selling citizenship and passport. Me ya ina merica now 47 years and all I am tinking about is going back home. I was born in Antigua but I am an Ashanti of the Akan tribe out of Ghana. Kumasi is my home and I must make it home before I die. I have roots out of Potters and it is known that Potters were the home of slaves of the Akan tribe that were identified as Ashani. Remember Prince Klass was an Ashanti. Right now what is going on in Antigua and the rest of the caribbean is just **hing unbelievable. Me no hab nutton fu lose.

The Bill passed but got to be revised again? who in the world does that?
@ The Antiguan, so you suggest that even though they believe it is wrong or something is wrong with the bill they should just shout up and do it even if in their hearts they do not believe it is good for the country? Really? hmmmmmm?

Thanks for the info. I always thought I was a good idea except I just don't believe we can pull it off in a way that is credible. Everything we do we get greedy and always want something under the table (one of the reason for low FDI) What I hate is the media muzzle they hid in the bill. The target market is a dangerious one. I applied for the same thing in Ghana, you got to wait 2 years to qualify but they are looking for brains, smart people and real investment, not pasport for money.

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! All is not gloom. Out of the Doom like the Green & Red Buoys marking the safe channel for those huge floating Majestic Hotels to find a safe berth at Heritage Quay or Redcliffe Quay where North Atlantics feast their eyes & smells on and from the Bairros Africanos of Grays farm, Green Bay, Perry Pay & The Point, places which have maintained their architectural, aesthetic, historical & infrastructural heritage value since the recorded conspiracies & heinous deaths of Prince Klass, Tomboy, Hannibal & Herculess, beacons of hope were words from Prez Obama's Tuesday Night State of The Nation's Address. Quote:

Every day, we should ask ourselves three questions as a Nation: How do we attract more jobs to our shores? How do we equip our people with the skills to get those jobs? And how do we make sure that hard work leads to a decent living?

Blue Romulus, Red Remus & their followers, in addition to Dr. Newton's Innovative Good, should add those three questions to their Quiver as they engage the "Bewildered & Bemused" electorate in Nation Building.
Where will A&B be after four score & ten years?
Oh Gad pray Fuh Mi Picknees!

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! A day ago, inspite of every effort to seek Inovative Good with Innovation & the Right People, It was a losing battle against the Doom. It appeared as though some unfriendly god had bereft many of my "Bewildered & Bemused" CountryWomen/Me n & Rastas of their senses or more tragically that the Taliban had been smoked out of their caves & lairs in Tora Bora, Afghanistan & The Tribal Lands of Waziristan in Northern Pakistan & Afghanistan.The y had descended with vengence & fury on this hapless land where "Sun Sea & Sand make Beauty" & "the beach is just the beginning" as they had been sold by their bretheren from Abu Dhabi & the Euphrates, Jordan & Nile Rivers to the cities of Babylon, Damascus, Rabat & Tarsus, To Arabian, Sinai & Sahara deserts of the Maghreb. Mo Money!
Violence Against Women Is relentless & echoes the Poors' Cries Quote:

What dire Offence from am'rous Causes Springs, What mighty Contests rise from trivial things. - Rape of the Lock.

85% of the Canadian People are lead by 6 Female Premiers, one of whom is Gay. Folks on the Rock focus on a Senator's Private "Baby Bump" rather than National Transformation.

Is your comment for real,or was it meant to be Sarcasm? Talk about mental slavery!!!

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Visit the Political, Economic, Social & Technological Systems (PEST)of Most Caricom States, feast your eyes on the larger countries, put your ears to ground especially in Barbados. A&B has a population where the 95% majority is of African Descent. Pay Attention to our PEST. In Binshire, Africans control the Political Prong. Some will suggest also the Social. Without Doubt, North Atlantics Control the Economic & Technological. Duh yu c eny ting fe sle fah? On the Rock, Economics & Technology prongs of the fork for feeding ourselves are not controlled by the 95%. Inroads and control of the Political & Social is slowly being lost. What will be our lot in the next 9 years and beyond. Have you heard either Red Remus or Blue Romulus in waging this Rape of Madanino Articulate a "Bewildered & Bemused" People Shared Vision, Mission, Strategic Imperatives, Goals, Objectives, Targets & Measures for the Next 9, 20, 50 or our four score & ten years which the good book promises. No it is all in the Now. Transactions that bring money & jobs for the Africans to continue a life of servitude to rich Arab, North Atlantic's & Oriental folk.

Referendum please. Furthermore Mr PM, do A,gua a favor,shut down the WPP,then resign from office,this act that you perpetrated on us is nothing short of treason.I am really fed up,i mean literally sick to my stomach of paying APUA $800+ for electricity bills. I should not have to pay for your sick and distorted evil and dunce mind. Just go now please.Anger is an understatement to describe my feelings right now.

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Morris, Thanks for the Link! Every time this Citizenship Investment Program (CIP)is raised, "my heart aches & a drowsy numbness pains my senses as though of hemlock (Coopers Dip) I had drunk". Urge the Youth to research Belmont Agricultural Station & Coopers Dip, which still proudly serves the Australian Livestock Industry for over 120 yrs. Oh How we have retrogressed due to ignorance of our History & a neglected education. Some pass these transactions off as progress in Nation Building. I had decided to swear off this Mind Altering Economic National Rape of the Sabines being prescribed by Blue Romulus & Red Remus. A few days ago, this mere voice advised that A&B had lost 4128 Residents (4.7%) in the last 10 Yr Census Period to the US alone. Many express concerns about Poor African, Black, Indian & Taino Caribbean Immigrant People. Yet the red carpet is laid for Rich folk whose only cultural & historical connection is the US Greenback? There is no Half-way House Citizenship. You are accorded all Rights & Privileges. The People of The Book took 40 yrs to put their system of Governance & Religion together. When Will We?

Antiguans DO NOT support selling passports. This needs to be put to a referendum. Let the people decide.

Just the other day, Dr. Cort was complaining about deported criminals and the lack of a tracking system in the C'bean and it made me laugh. If we are having problems getting correct criminal information from local islands, how do we plan to pressure the international community to provide this info when applying for this citizenship program? Regardless of what they present in parliament, I will tell you that if members of certain restricted territories/gro ups wish to move around freely, all they have to do is apply for one of our passports. Are we prepared for the backlash should these individuals commit crimes in other countries, are caught, then deported to their country of citizenship according to their passports? If Cort is crying now, he will definitely be bawling later.

Morris thanks. When the program was first proposed the idea seemed to get high net worth individuals who would create jobs here. We have managed to turn this program into something more of a land grab offering a certain cliche the ability to sell land that there is currently no market for. All reminds that we exist in an oligarchy (as you once opined)
..

UPP!! your time is up liming coming to an end over just give in

Fire the UPP Senators who voted against it, and the two who didn't vote!!!! This is such nonsense, having your own betray you and your Government!!! Baldwin, do the Gutsy move now!!!

This is a very sensative issue and debate is good.

The Bill is basically passed but its just the finer detail

Well done Baldwin

This is definitely the end of your time! If you can't discuss with your Senators and get consensus before you bring this controversial bill - for a second time at that - to the Senate, then you have lost your support.

The big joke is that John Maginley said in his presentation in the Lower house that he met with all his constituents and they all supported it...Colin in John's Constituency and he led the fight against the Bill! Poor John...don't even know who are his constituents...

SMH!

In Light of Mr. Derrick's passing, a man who stood up for freedom of information. A man the entire nation showed so much love for, please allow freedom of information to rule the day. Please Mr. Government in the SUNSHINE, you promised tranparency among other things can you please not be fibbing this time again.

Was Senator Christian there for this crucial vote?

Thought you guys might find this an interesting read.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=171807741

Once again UPP Senator such as Joanne Massiah and Collin Derrick has forced their government to RETREAT and BACK-PEDAL it Economic Citizenship bill for a Second time in three months.

Why is it that Baldwin Spencer/Errol Cort can't line up his/their ducks before having to suffer this embar**ment as a government who just seemingly can't get anything done!??

Clearly, the UPP is imploding! The UPP Party has run aground.